Instagram is cracking down on fake accounts according to the social media giant on a post they released on August 1st. They are specifically targeting accounts that meet certain activity criteria known as inauthentic behavior and following up by requiring these accounts to verify the identification of the account holder. Accounts that do not comply or meet the ID requirements could be banned permanently.
Instagram Cracking Down on Fake Accounts
To view this announcement from Instagram directly, just visit here.
Can Your Account or Business be Affected?
Yes, but only if you are participating in certain activities that go against Insta’s T&C’s (which you could be, unknowingly.) If you’ve purchased followers or hire a company to grow your following base, look into the efforts used. Accounts that may be required to provide an ID check are:
- Accounts with a majority of followers in a different location (meaning a different country or territory as you or your business account)
- Accounts showing signs of automated activity, AKA bot accounts
“We want the content you see on Instagram to be authentic and to come from real people, not bots or others trying to mislead you.”
How Do I Verify My Brand Account?
Instagram isn’t looking for you to prove your ownership of the brand account, simply that you are a human and that a human is engaging in the activity and use of the account. Unlike some more strict Facebook and Google My Business requirements, you shouldn’t see any issues as long as you aren’t using bots or an automated system that’s ‘spamming.’
“Starting today, we will begin asking people to confirm who’s behind an account when we see a pattern of potential inauthentic behavior.”
Is This Good for Your Followers?
Yes. Instagram cracking down on fake accounts means your viewers are less likely to have to deal with spam on your posts. It leads to a more authentic experience of the platform overall and will help prevent users from being harassed by non-humans. If only we could eliminate trolls too.
“By prompting the people behind accounts to confirm their information, we will be able to better understand when accounts are attempting to mislead their followers, hold them accountable, and keep our community safe.”
What Documents will Instagram Use to Verify Accounts?
A variety of legal documents will be accepted, according to Instagram. This includes but is not limited to:
- Driver’s License or Photo ID
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Passport, Visa, or Immigration Documentation
- Voter ID Card or School Issued Photo ID
Essentially you will just need to prove your identity and age and not your ownership of the brand unless other issues arise.
What are your thoughts on Instagram cracking down on fake accounts? Do you agree or disagree with this move? Anything you’d like to add? To get content like this and more, or to engage about it, let’s connect on Facebook. If you need more help with Instagram related marketing or content creation, summon the Rebel Fleet, and let’s chat.